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ROSEMARY 

A Book of Verse 



BY 



EDITH ABERCROMBIE-MILLER 




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NEW YORK 

ROBERT GRIER COOKE, INC. 

1908 



Copyright 1908 by Robert Grier Cooke, Inc. 






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DEDICATED 
'^ TO THE MEMORY OF 

MARTHA ABERCROMBIE- MILLER. 



^^ '■'■Rosemary— that's for remembrance." 

p5» —Shakespeare. 

;, Long did your gentle smile give joy to us, 

5 Your loving words oft eased our path through life, 

i Your patience placed in us new wakened trust 

In Peace that dwells beyond the hounds of strife; 
And now for all these gifts you freely gave 
To us, throughout the year, and day by day, 
{Light in themselves but help in matters grave) 
Full tribute of our love we gladly pay, 
And offer here in ever thankful mood 
This humble token of our gratitude. 



CONTENTS 

Dawn at Sea 9 

In the Orchard 10 

An April Day 11 

Her Coming 1^ 

To My Love in a Garden 13 

• — The Rose's Secret 14 

Cupid Defeated 15 

A Thief of the South 16 

—" A Song of Happiness 17 

Across the Sea 18 

The Sea-Shell 19 

The Path 21 

The Quiet Way : 22 

Sunset 23 

Sunset Messengers 24 

Compensation 25 

Opportunity 26 

Youth and Age 27 

Sunset Memories 29 

All Saints' Summer 31 

A Thanksgiving 32 

The Fire Hosts 33 

The First Snow 34 

Before the Fire 35 

Tempest Tossed 37 

To Sleep 38 

The Wreck 39 

^— My Will and Testament 42 



ROSEMARY 



DAWN AT SEA. 

The black robed Night enfolds with mystery 

The silent secrets of the mighty sea ; 

The rhythmic waves murmur a lullaby, 

While drowsy stars blink in a dark-domed sky. 

Night reigns, and silence somnolent and calm 

Has placed on earth, and sea, and sky, her charm, 

When lo ! her pall of sombre blackness dense 

Is lighted by a faint, dull radiance, — 

A shadowy ghost-light over sky and sea, 

Enshrouding all the world in mystery. 

'Tis then, the first breath of the Dawn is heard; 

The wave-crests by the morning breeze are stirred ; 

And, as chimerian doubts and fears soon flee 

Before the onslaught of reality. 

So now the bands of radiant light, released 

By smiling Dawn within the waking East, 

Emboldened, splendid, break upon the Night, 

Who flies, her black robes trailing in her flight. 

With lingering fingers Dawn doth draw away 

The cloud hung curtains in the East, and Day 

Glides through, reflected in her radiancy 

Within the thousand mirrors of the sea. 



7A^ THE ORCHARD. 

I saw you in the morning, Love; 

The grass was bathed with dew ; 
The slanting sunbeams from above 

Came trouping down to you. 

Within the orchard's gate you stood, 

A figure sweet and sHm, 
While clear bird voices in the wood 

Trilled forth their morning hymn. 

The morn was radiantly fair, 

Yet not so fair as thou 
With sunbeams tangling in your hair 

Beneath the apple bough. 



10 



AN APRIL DAY. 

'Tis April, and a fickle sun 

Smiles on the world of budding green 
Where springtide flowers have just begun 

O'er dale and upland to be seen. 

The violet in her cap of blue 

Hides 'neath the autumn leaves of yore ; 
The butter-cup of golden hue 

Displays his tiny Midas store; 

And tender flowers of sweet, soft pink 
Make all the woodland seem to blush ; 

One longs now for the bob-o'-link, 
Or swelling music of the thrush. 

But all is still — A hawk wings high 
In sweeping circles o'er the trees, 

A voyageur twixt earth and sky 
He wheels in vagrant fantasies. 

Some crows flock by, — dark shadows thrown 

Clear-cut against the April sky; 
The paths with Autumn leaves are strewn, 

In withered, rustling heaps they lie. 

Among them though the flowers of Spring 
Have bloomed in violet, pink and gold, 

To show us that the fairest thing 

May spring from withered leaves and mold. 

O, changing, charming April day, 
I love you, and your flowers so fair. 

Your fickle sun, your skies of gray, 

The Springtide's sweetness everywhere! 
11 



HER COMING. 

She is coming over the hill 

Where the dew-drops jewel the grasses, 
And the dawn waked blossoms are all a-thrill 

Wherever her footstep passes. 
Her gown is as white as the clouds that float 

Up, up from the dawn's rose-splendor ; 
And the lark is swelling his throbbing throat 

A greeting of joy to send her. 
Ah, no wonder the morn is rosy-hued 

With a hint of the Springtide's laughter !— 
Through the glistening blossoms all bedewed, 

She is coming, — and Love comes after. 

She is coming over the hill 

In a riot of sun-beam glory; 
She has passed the road by the moss-grown mill 

With its stone arch, gray and hoary. 
The birds are bidding the world rejoice 

Where the wood is checkered with shadows^ 
And the brooklet ripples with silver voice 

As it journeys on through the meadows; 
Ah, I know why the bird songs rise so sweet, 

And life is throbbing and thrilling, 
And why Nature's heart has a warmer beat, 

She is come, — Summer's joys fulfilling ! 



12 



TO MY LOVE IN A GARDEN, 

Sweetheart, as you bend o'er the flowers 

The roses in envy blush, 
And the lily your fairness borrows, 

As your fingers its petals brush. 
The sun-beams that play in your tresses 

With a borrowed light depart. 
And the moss where your fair foot presses, 

Bears the imprint upon its heart. 

Sweetheart, would I were a flower 

In your garden awhile to grow, — 
Your tears for my summer's shower, 

Your smiles for my sunbeams' glow. 
And, perchance, if there I were growing. 

You might single me out from the rest 
With my flower heart brightly glowing, 

And place me upon your breast. 



18 



THE ROSE'S SECRET. 

Red rose, tell me your secret 

— Whisper it soft and low — 
Whence came that glorious crimson 
Making your petals glow? 

''As the sky grew red to the eastward 
On the day that I was born 

My petals were dyed in its glory 

With the tints of the crimson dawn." 

But whence came your golden center, 
Close-guarded from mortal eye? 

''A dancing sun-beam one morning 
Kissed me ere flashing by. 

Then nestled all day so gently 
Close to my throbbing heart 

That when night's shadows were falling 
We loved too well to part." 



14 



CVPID DEFEATED. 
I 

Cupid met her in the morning, 

Bhthe and merry-hearted he! 
As he shot a pointed arrow 

Long and loud he laughed with glee ; 
For she was a daintv' maiden 

From her prett>- little shoe 
To her crown of sun-kissed tresses, — 

Merr>', winsome, laughing too. 

II 

Cupid met her at the noon-tide, 

Hot and hea\'y-hearted he! 
Half his quiver was exhausted, — 

Still he smiled right pluckily ; 
For her mouth was red and rosy, 

Smooth her brow, and free from care. 
While her laugh held silver ripples, 

And she still was passing fair. 

HI 

Cupid meets her at the even. 

Drooping hangs each tired wing, — 
Empty- is his daintv* quiver, — 

To his lashes tear-drops cling. 
Sad, dejected, hea\T-hearted, 

Long he eyes her with a sigh, — 
Fair to gaze on still, — ^but Cupid 

OwTis defeat, and passes by. 

15 



A THIEF OF THE SOUTH. 

To Helen R. 

O maiden from the sunny South, 
With smiHng eyes and dimpled mouth, 
Your warm-hued tresses form a snare 
To capture sun-beams lurking there; 
Your eyes have stolen rays of light 
From star-beacon of the night; 
Your lips have robbed the roses red 
— I caught you, bending o'er their bed !- 
Your voice, — the notes so sweet and soft 
Once, some bird minstrel trilled aloft; 
The ripples in your laughter seem 
The stolen music of the stream, 
Yet unabashed, and free from grief, 
You move, — an unrepentant thief. 
And e'en now, laughing saucily, 
Have stolen my proud heart from me ! 



16 



A SONG OF HAPPINESS. 

O the world may be hard, and the way may be long, 

And life may be never so dreary, — 
But, hark ! from the woods comes a wild bird's song 

Tender and sweet and cheery. 

Then, what though the world wears a sombre hue 

With terrors and cares assailing? 
Look up! Look up to the skies of blue 

Where the little white clouds are sailing. 

The brooklet murmurs with silver voice, 

The breeze plays a dainty measure 
Through the beckoning tree-tops, — Then come! 
Rejoice 

In this world of beauty and pleasure I 



17 



ACROSS THE SEA. 

To M. A. M. 

Though far away, the Hnks of love 
Shall never break nor part; 

Spanning the waters, they shall prove 
A bridge from heart to heart. 

Around it memories sweet shall twine 
Their blossoms bright as gold, 

As ivy twines its clinging leaves 
Round rustic bridges old. 

And every flower that decks this bridge 
Between our hearts shall be 

A messenger of love to you 
From far across the sea. 



18 



THE SEA-SHELL. 

A dainty sea-shell was flung one day 

Far up on the golden sand, 
Beyond where the highest ripples play 

It was tossed by a wavelet's hand. 

I 

A passing youth smiled knowingly 
As he gazed on the shell flung high ; 

'Thus," he exulted,— "may Life's broad sea 
''Ever bear precious gifts to me!" 

— And he passed the sea-shell by. 

II 
An old man came, — his step was slow, 

And he wearily paused to rest; 
He saw the shell, and he muttered low, — 

"My fairest hopes of the long ago 
Are flung to one side as this shell ! Just so 

Were they tossed from my Life-wave's crest.' 

Ill 

A child came romping upon the sands, — 

A bonny blue-eyed boy, — 
He took the shell in his chubby hands, 

And merrily laughed with joy; 
For it sang in his ear strange songs of the sea 

Full of treasure-trove and of mystery, — 
This wonderful, new-found toy. 

19 



IV 
Then^ a maiden came, and she found the shell 

That was flung aside in play; 
She sighed as she raised it, *'0 swiftly tell 
News of the one whom I love so well, — 
Or my lover so far away." 
The shell sang a tale soft, soft in her ear 

Of a far-off sunny sea. 
She pressed her lips to the sea-shell clear, 
And whispered, "This for my love so dear 
Is the message I trust to thee !" 
Then wandered down on the wet black sands, 
Till the waves touched her feet with their foamy hands, 
And flung the shell far to sea. 



20 



rUE PATH. 

It runs from where the pine wood's trailing dress 
Of shrubs and beach grass Hes along the sand ; 
Where the low breezes^ filled with tenderness, 
Welcome the rippling wavelets to the land. 

It wanders through dim cooling aisles of green 
(The sun-baked beach and sea dim memories), 
While over-head the whispering branches lean 
Telling the secrets of the woods and trees. 

It leads to where the wood's green ranks unfold 
And with encircling arms close guard a field, 
Stored with the wifdflowers' wealth of green and gold. 
The gems the treasuries of summer yield. 

Then through the fields it leads to happiness, — 
'Twas here we met upon a summer's day. 
When you appeared my wandering path to bless, 
And led my footsteps from Life's storm-tossed bay. 

Now hand in hand along the path we pass 
— The restless sea behind, the fields before — 
Until it leads us, through the dew-gemed grass 
To where a cottage stands with open door. 



21 



THE QUIET WAY. 

When, all alone, the wanderer on his way 

Passes along the quiet country roads. 
The flower faces smile a welcome gay. 

And birds trill greetings from their green abodes ; 
The friendly trees stretch beckoning arms of green ; 

The glowing sun gives of his golden light ; 
And generous Nature, smiling and serene 

Spreads forth her bounteous stores before his sight. 

But when alone upon the city streets, 

— Lost in the deafening murmur of their cry, — 
Strange are the faces that the traveller greets, — 

That, all unseeing gaze, and pass him by. 
When pushed or jostled by the hurrying crowd, 

That in their hast'ning spurn him as a stone, 
(Although his heart for friendship cries aloud), 

'Tis then, indeed, the wanderer is alone. 

So would I seek the country's peaceful charm, 

The understanding of each silent thing; 
Where one is part of all the wondrous calm 

Far from the city's rack and rioting; 
Where Nature's welcome waits me; where her smile 

Of golden sunshine gladly bids me stay. 
And rest with her, — Thus for a space, a while 

To leave Life's treadmill for the quiet way. 



SUNSET. 

Red glows the sun within the silent West, — 

With Midas fingers sweeps the neighboring hills, 
And, lo! their sides in dull green erstwhile dressed 
His magic touch changed to a golden vest 
Laced with the silver of the flowing rills. 

He flings upon the bay, with lavish hand, 
A lane of gold that flows in endless stream 

A wondrous path of light from land to land, 
By ripples broken into disks of gold, 
As from a miser's chest pours wealth untold 

In countless coins that glint, and glow and gleam. 



23 



SUNSET MESSENGERS, 

Out of the sky's bright splendor, 

Up from the sunset West, 
Two rosy clouds came floating 

As the great sun sank to rest. 

Gray grew the evening shadows, 

Fainter the glow in the sky, 
And Nature was hushed to silence 

Watching the daylight die. 

But still o'er the heavens floating 
Are the clouds in their robes of light, 

That tell of the sun in his splendor 
Though he's now gone far from sight. 

And through the dark night's advancing 

They bring to our memory 
How great was the sun in his glory, 

How bright in his majesty. 

So, though 'through the Night's dark portals, 
We must, all of us sink to rest. 

Let the deeds which we leave behind us 
Tell their tale in our sunset West. 



24 



COMPENSATION. 

I cannot reach the heights that you attain 

— No power on earth can give that joy to me! — 

For though I bravely toil and daily strain 
Still must I fail — that end shall ever be. 

For you are as the mountain, crowned with snow, 
Which towers high in solemn majesty 

To lofty heights, from which to gaze below 
On hill, and valley, wood, and plain and sea. 

And I am but a placid bosomed lake, 

From w^hich, perchance, some streams flow to the 
sea, 
But Nature wills no effort I may make 

Shall ere attain the heights above for me. 

Th' encircling shores to me their greenness owe; 

For me the wild flowers on the border bloom; 
But, far above, the distant heights of snow 

Make the encirclinof forest seem a tomb. 



't> 



'Tis then to me this thought comes bitter-sweet, 
(For one soon learns a way when led by love) — 

Placidly lying here before your feet 

I may reflect the dazzling heights above! 

And in my cool, calm depths each lofty height 
Shall find a glorious perfect counterpart. 

Each mighty peak, the snow-crown dazzling white, 
Shall leave its image mirrored in my heart. 

25 



OPPORTUNITY. 

Hark to the flutter of the Wings of Time 

As down the ages in their flight they move! 

Great pinions, stretched from earth to the sublime 

Eternal mysteries of Heaven above, 

Bearing the marks of Joy, and Grief, and Love. 
Happy the man who hears their rustling low 

And dares to snatch a feather e'er they go ! 



26 



YOUTH AND AGE. 

As I went down to the World's great fair 

Many the people who passed me by, 
Till o'er the highway stretching there, 

Came a tall youth as the sun rose high. 

Young was his form and young his face 
— His years scarce numbered twenty-three — 

Yet he moved along at a snail's slow pace 
And his woful look was sad to see. 

He bore a great load upon his back, — 

A bulging burden marked, "Care and Doubt," 

And ever anon, from a rent in the pack. 

Little bundles of worry came tumbling out. 

"Fair Youth," I cried, "Why not drop your pack?" 
But he answered, "My friend, it is plain to see 

That you don't know this world! What's upon my 
back 
Is only what all should bear," quoth he. 

Then he wandered on at his slow snail's pace 
— This ancient youth with his aged air! 

I watched him go, till a merry face 

And a bright voice gave me a greeting fair — 

"Good-morrow friend. 'Tis a pleasant day" — 
And over the road's white highway came 

An old man marching upon his way, 
A little bent and a little lame. 

27 



But, O, though his locks were a silvery white, 
The look on his face was good to see! 

With his cheery laugh, and his smile so bright 
He was trudging along right merrily. 

"Good friend," said I, '' 'Tis a long hard way, — 
And whither your road?" He smiled at me. 

"I am just coming back from a pleasant stay 
In the land of Never Worry/' quoth he. 

''O, the World is a pleasant place, my friend, 
Though the road is hard for many a mile, — 

Still Fm nearing now to my journey's end"; 

— And he went on his way with a nod and a smile. 

He left in my heart a warming glow. 

For better a young old age in truth. 
With its happy heart 'neath a crown of snow, 

Than the ancient airs of an aged youth. 



28 



SUNSET MEMORIES. 

The clock's pale face, upon the tower high 

Across the way where stone-capped roofs rise tall, 

Gives warning that the hours are speeding by 
As the first shadows of the evening fall. 

Above the city myriad smoke clouds rise 
The fiery breathing of the dragon Toil 

That darkens foully all the winter skies, 

And fills the air with soot, and grime and soil. 

Only the sunset glimmerings in the sky 
Tell me the world is still a place as fair 

As I had found it in those months gone by 
Far from the city's ceaseless toil and care. 

That rosy light now spreading in the West, 
Calls poignantly to mind those wondrous days 

When in bright tints the wooded landscape dressed. 
Shrouded its beauty in Autumnal haze. 

Twas then, with steady stroke the light canoe 
We urged upon the river's sunflecked tide, 

Rounding the points where shrubs and wild-flowers 
grew, 
And where at eve the shadows thickest hide. 

The trailing vines, the bright Autumnal flowers. 
Decking the cushioned banks in beauty rare ; 

All paid us tribute in the fleeting hours, 
And, O, the cool breath of the evening air ! 



29 



The sunset's glow a glorious radiance spread, 
A background made of wondrous cloth of gold, 

'Gainst which the black wood laid its weary head 
As daylight died with half its tale untold. 

Night drew her draperies across the sky, 

And strewed her gems of light with lavish hand ; 

Silvered with moon-light ripples passed us by, 
As on we sailed through an enchanted land. 



Not all the myriad lights within the streets 
Can call again my fleeting thoughts to rest 

For ceaselessly the woodland's voice entreats 

Since that first glimmering in the smoke-dimmed 
West. 



30 



ALL SAINTS' S UMMER . 

'Tis All Saints' Summer, when our hearts are turnings 
To memories of loved ones gone before, 
We may not wish them back, though eyes are yearning 
To see those well-loved forms we see no more. 

Through Time's long vista now we gaze, beholding 
How oft they set our erring steps aright, 
And led us, with their guardian love enfolding. 
Through the dim watches of the dark'ning night. 

The flowers of Joy and Peace were ever growing 
Throughout the fruitful summer of their lives. 
And pain and strife were slain before their showing, 
As naught of ill may live where goodness thrives. 

Good and sweet deeds through all their lives were 

blended 
— Whate'er their years their hearts grew never cold — 
Till, like the trees, the Summer of Life ended, 
They wear their well rewarded crowns of gold. 



31 



A THANKSGIVING. 

{From the Living Church, November, 1905.) 

For all 'tlie good days tliat are past and gone ; 
For good words spoken and for good deeds done ; 
For all the victories that I have won, 
I thank Thee, Lord. 

For all the blessings Thou hast showered on me ; 
For all Thy precious gifts by land or sea ; 
For all of Nature's wondrous majesty; 
I thank Thee, Lord. 

For health, for life, for strength to do my part : 
For friends, for kinsfolk of the blood and heart ; 
For ail accomplished in Life's daily mart 
I thank Thee, Lord. 

For shower and sunshine, breeze and calm and rain; 
For ever>' lesson taught by grief or pain; 
For every woe through which my life doth gain, 
I thank Thee, Lord. 

For every lesson Thou hast taught to me 
By which I come a few steps nearer Thee; 
With heart and soul I turn most thankfully 
To Thee, O Lord. 



S2 



THE FIRE HOSTS, 

I sat and watched the fire's glow 
Rise in a thousand tongues of flame. 

A might}' host in gleaming row 

With pennants flashing far they came, 

And drove their bright darts at the cold, 

Which, if it might, would all enfold. 

As seas against a rocky wall 

Break hopelessly, and shattered go. 

In serried ranks the flame hosts fall, — 
Yet leap again with fien,- glow. 

Ere dying 'mid the embers gray 

As hopes that die at close of day. 

LOFa 



33 



THE FIRST SNOW. 

In whirling lines the soft wee snow-flakes dance, 
Each one a fairy jewel-flower of white; 

Forth from the sky, their home, they swift advance 
In silvered lines across the silent night. 

The stars set in the chilly wintry sky 

Sparkle and twinkle their farewell to these 

Unnumbered tiny stars that pass them by. 
Dancing and whirling in gay fantasies. 

Down to the earth in countless hordes they sweep 
And when the sun, aglow with morning light. 

Wakens the dawn rose-blushing from her sleep, 
The world shall be a wilderness of white. 



34 



BEFORE THE FIRE. 



How we used to sit by the fire's glow, 

You and I, dear Love, in the long ago ! 

While the flickering flames with their beacons red 

Caressed the gold of your curly head. 

I can see your child eyes, blue and clear^ 

Raised half in wonder and half in fear, 

As I pointed out in my boyish pride. 

The dragon that lurked in the fireside. 

And the goblin army that leapt and danced 

'Mid the embers red as the fire-flames glanced ; 

Or else, as the flames shot ever higher, 

The fairy city with gilded spire. 

With dome, and with parapet aglow 

Where we journeyed oft in that long ago. 

Then soft as the fire-light glowed and fell 

Of what fairy wonders I used to tell, — 

What treasure-trove in the embers lay. 

Gems, gold, and jewels from far away, 

Stores from the Orient^ rubies rare, 

Jewels to twine in your silken hair — 

These, and more, would I swift invent 

Till your sweet lips parted in wonderment 

And you nodded your dear head, as though you knew 

That the whole of my fairy-tale was true. 



35 



II 

Think of that time in the far-away 

(Was it fifty years, or but yesterday?) 

That we sat one eve by the fire-Hght 

When the lamp burned low and the fire burned bright. 

Without are the driving flakes of snow 

But within is warmth and the fire's glow, 

And once again the fire-flames bright 

Make you a fairy crown of light. 

And once again your sweet eyes hold 

A wonder to hear of what I've told, 

And once again your sweet lips part 

As I tell you the sweetest of tales, dear heart, 

And you smile assent. Ah! the joy I knew 

When you found my tale to be good and true ! 

Ill 

It is still, dear Love, by the fire-light 

That we sit and dream ere we say, ''good-night"; 

As the red flames die and the fire burns low 

Do our thoughts fly back to the long ago 

Of the fairy city and the treasured store 

Which we see in the flickering flames no more? 

Do we think again of that winter's day 

When the fire hosts drove the cold away, 

And burnt with a high and ruddy glow 

Where now are the embers smoldering low? 

Do we dream with regret of those days gone by 

As we watch the fire-light flicker and die? 

Not so, dear Love, for to me and you 

The tales that were told have been ever true! 

86 



TEMPEST TOSSED. 

The storm raged high. My tempest driven soul 

Swept on^ a dereUct before the gale, 
A shattered barque, she sailed without a goal, 

While voices warning cried with no avail. 

Her sail of Courage hung in shredded strips ; 

Where at the prow bright Hope its light should shed 
Deep darkness lay. Most miserable of ships, 

She plunges wildly towards the rocks ahead! 

All will and strength and wish to save were gone 

(Long since within the tempest Faith had died!) 
The warning voices fainter grew. Alone 

She swept towards death. — When, lo ! a child's 
voice cried 

From out the darkness and the swirling foam. 
Only a child's hands reaching through the dark, 

But strength renewed, though tempest tossed, my 
barque 

Was guided safely home. 



37 



TO SLEEP. 

Sleep, blessed Sleep, 

Who soothes the saddest care, 

And dulls the deepest pain; 
Who bears awhile the rough cross of Despair 

Till morning comes again, 
And with new strength we take again our load 
To tread another day's march on the road. 

Sleep, gentlest Sleep, 

Who smoothes the wrinkled brow, 
And bids Time's hand to stay ; 
Who puts fresh bloom on cheeks that paled but now, 

And wipes hot tears away. 
Sleep, wondrous Sleep, a friend most tried, most true, 
Dear comforter, we nightly turn to you. 



38 



rUE WRECK. 

Two souls once met on a winter's night 

On the lee of an ice-bound shore, 
Where the frozen rocks rise chill and white, 

And the crusted breakers roar. 

The first soul questioned, ''What seek ye here 

In the chill of the winter's night? 
Why wander ye o'er this place so drear 

And far from the harbor light?" 

The second soul answered, "I wander long, 

Where the icy foam-steeds ride. 
To find one who did me a grievous wrong 

On the night when both of us died. 

'' 'Twas a night like this in the long ago 

— Or was it but yesterday ? — 
When our ship put out through the falling snow 

On its path o'er the troubled bay. 

*'0, the storm was high, and the night was dark, 
And the wind shrieked loud and free ! 

And ere morning broke our once trusted barque 
Was rent by the wolves of the sea. 

■"He, to whom I had given my love and life 

Had never a thought for me ! 
Neglected, I prayed through the gathering strife. 

Till I died in the icy sea. 

39 



" 'Tis not that I died that I wander here 
Where the ice-bound breakers moan, — 

He failed me, he, whom I held so dear, 
And I went to my death alone. 

"I seek him over the crested waves. 

And along the rock-bound shore. 
Where we sank that night to our icy graves 

'Mid the rending breakers' roar. 

"I cannot rest with my broken trust 

And my shattered faith in him ! 
Through the long night watches seek I must 

Till the stars at the dawn grow dim. 

*T pray as I roam I may find him yet 
Where his restless soul must stray, — 

He shall know me then though he could forget, 
For his soul must I seek and pray !" 

The first soul spake with a saddened moan 
— Or was it the voice of the gale? — 

"I wander too on my search alone. 
And wander without avail. 

"For I seek for the soul of one I love 
Through the ages that come and go ! 

I seek her, and pray to the God above 
To guide me and ease my^woe. 

40 



''She died alone in the wintry sea^ — 

'Twas no fault of mine, I swear^ 
For above all else was she first with me 

And I sought for her everywhere. 

"But through the storm and the raging night 

And the rending timbers moan 
She was borne afar from my side and sight, — 

And I sank to my death alone. 

**So ever I wander and seek her soul 

Through the storm, and the wind, and rain ; 

I may know no rest till I gain my goal 
And our souls are at peace again." 

Then whispered the other, "Lo ! I am she 
Whom ye seek through the waning night! 

And I trust again !" O'er the frozen sea 
Two souls sped into the light. 



41 



MY WILL AND TESTAMENT. 

(Lines suggested by a will published in the ''Times'') 

When on my Life the Evening Shadows fall 
And voices call me to the sunset West 

Although my store of gold and gain is small 
I go not empty-handed to my rest. 

Some things I leave, — ere my last breath is spent 

Thus shall I write : 

My Will and Testament. 

1. To Children: Sunny Hours and Golden Days; 
The wealth of Summer field and Autumn wood; 

I leave the brooklet's song; the bird's sweet lays: 
— All Nature gave me in her bounteous mood. 

2. To Lovers : I bequeath Life's Sweetest Joy 
(When gold-winged moments made a magic 

dream.) 
I leave them Hope, Trust, Love without alloy 
Veiled in the glory of the sunset's gleam. 

3. To All Those Sick in Body, Mind or Heart: 

I leave thrice-blessed treasures won through tears, 
All Words that Cheer, all Thoughts that Soothe 
the Smart, 
And Faith and Patience for the coming years. 



42 



4. I leave the Old fair Dreams to meet their gaze 
— Life's battles bravely planned and bravely- 
fought — 
With Love and Tender Care to guard their days, 
And crown the good deeds of their lives well 
wrought. 
My last bequest : I leave all Sweet Content, 
And thus I close my Will and Testament. 



43 



FES 34 1908 



^/ 



/ 



